Tomo 77

Tomo77, the professional moniker of Tony Aguero, was born in Costa Rica and is currently based in Portland, Oregon. He worked as a graphic designer for thirty years before transitioning into a full-time career as an interdisciplinary artist. His move to the United States served as a significant catalyst for his creative output, as his work frequently examines the immigrant experience and the socio-political landscape of his adopted country.

The artistic practice of Tomo77 is defined by a technique he describes as "hand digital etching." This method involves a labor-intensive process of drawing each line by hand at full scale on a digital interface, mimicking the aesthetic and physical precision of traditional woodcut or linocut carving. His compositions are characterized by high visual contrast, complex symbolism, and a monochromatic palette often accented by specific color cues. His thematic focus typically involves critiques of capitalism, human behavior, and systemic power structures.

During the global pandemic, Tomo77 produced a significant body of work documented in his 2021 art book, Pandemonium. This graphic journal served as a visual record of social and political upheaval in the United States, created from his studio overlooking the streets of downtown Portland. His work has also included collaborative projects with prominent contemporary figures, most notably a 2021 print collaboration with Shepard Fairey titled Pandemonium, which addressed global crises through shared allegorical imagery.

The work of Tomo77 has been featured in numerous institutional and contemporary art venues. He has held solo exhibitions at StolenSpace Gallery in London and One Grand Gallery in Portland. His art has also been included in group exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Costa Rica and the Saatchi Gallery in London. His career and stylistic contributions have been documented in various art publications, including Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose.